--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you ask the typical two- or…" description: "\"If you ask the typical two- or three-year-old or a teenager what a robot is, they will think about a humanoid that does my homework for me or walks the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baa/colin-angle-13656_about_if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year_956843.jpg" --- # If you ask the typical two- or three-year-old or a… ![“If you ask the typical two- or three-year-old or a teenager what a robot is, they will think about a humanoid that does my homework for me or walks the dog. When I go and talk to kids and pull out the Roomba, it's not this big 'Wow!' moment.” quote by Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baa/colin-angle-13656_about_if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year_956843.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baa/colin-angle-13656_about_if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year_956843.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baa/colin-angle-13656_about_if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year_956843.jpg) > “If you ask the typical two- or three-year-old or a teenager what a robot is, they will think about a humanoid that does my homework for me or walks the dog. When I go and talk to kids and pull out the Roomba, it's not this big 'Wow!' moment.” [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Kids imagine robots as humanoid helpers, but real robots are mundane tools that lack excitement. **In simple terms:** Kids expect flashy robots, but most are simple. Key Takeaway Educate about practical robotics and set realistic expectations. Themes technology education expectations Mood educational enthusiastic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - classroom demos - museum exhibits - STEM outreach Key Concepts robotics human‑robot interaction Questions to Reflect On - What simple robot could you introduce to spark curiosity? - How can we make everyday robots seem exciting? A Different Perspective Kids may become disillusioned if reality falls short of fantasy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment/) [Robot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/robot/) [Robotics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/robotics/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Teenager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teenager/) ## Related quotes > [One of the main things we have been looking at is, how can we get a robot to think about situations it's never seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-woodruff/one-of-the-main-things-we-have-been-looking-at-is-how-can-we-get-a/) [Judy Woodruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-woodruff/) > [When we built Roomba, we explicitly designed it to not have a face. We didn't want to think it was cute; we wanted people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/when-we-built-roomba-we-explicitly-designed-it-to-not-have-a-face-we/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [If you want to make a serious, rugged, reliable robot, you can start with the Create platform and just build stuff on top of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/if-you-want-to-make-a-serious-rugged-reliable-robot-you-can-start/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [The name iRobot comes from 'Internet-connected robot.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/the-name-irobot-comes-from-internet-connected-robot/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [Did Google need to make robot cars in order to make Streetview work? Absolutely not. It's the equivalent of saying you need a walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/did-google-need-to-make-robot-cars-in-order-to-make-streetview-work/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [The idea that a robot will become more aware of its environment, that telling it to 'go to the kitchen' means something - navigation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/the-idea-that-a-robot-will-become-more-aware-of-its-environment-that/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [The answer is navigation, manipulation, and implementation of more sophisticated intelligence. The idea that a robot will become more aware of its environment, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/the-answer-is-navigation-manipulation-and-implementation-of-more/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [It's hard not to love Roomba. Roomba had such an amazing impact on the field. When we launched, we asked people, 'Is it a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/it-s-hard-not-to-love-roomba-roomba-had-such-an-amazing-impact-on-the/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [We will not have humanoid androids. It's interesting: when you start trying to make robots look more human, you end up making them look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/we-will-not-have-humanoid-androids-it-s-interesting-when-you-start/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [In the original 'Star Wars' movie, there is a small toaster-sized and shaped robot on the Death Star that guides Stormtroopers to where they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/in-the-original-star-wars-movie-there-is-a-small-toaster-sized-and/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [In the beginning of Roomba, we all took turns answering the support line. Once, a woman called and explained that her robot had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/in-the-beginning-of-roomba-we-all-took-turns-answering-the-support/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [When my daughter was 3, she was eating Cheerios and spilled some on the table. So she swiped them onto the floor. I said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/when-my-daughter-was-3-she-was-eating-cheerios-and-spilled-some-on/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [What did everyone think robot vacuuming was going to be? Well, they think Rosie the Robot from 'The Jetsons,' a human robot that pushed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/what-did-everyone-think-robot-vacuuming-was-going-to-be-well-they/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [The utility of the robot needs to come first. It's business model over technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/the-utility-of-the-robot-needs-to-come-first-it-s-business-model-over/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [Building a robot that has legs and walks around is a very expensive proposition. Mother Nature has created many wonderful things, but one thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/building-a-robot-that-has-legs-and-walks-around-is-a-very-expensive/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) ## More by Colin Angle > [When we built Roomba, we explicitly designed it to not have a face. We didn't want to think it was cute; we wanted people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/when-we-built-roomba-we-explicitly-designed-it-to-not-have-a-face-we/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [I believe one day nano-robots will play an important role in medicine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/i-believe-one-day-nano-robots-will-play-an-important-role-in-medicine/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [I think, people are generally willing to imagine robots of all shapes, as humanoid robots are not practical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/i-think-people-are-generally-willing-to-imagine-robots-of-all-shapes/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [The utility of the robot needs to come first. It's business model over technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/the-utility-of-the-robot-needs-to-come-first-it-s-business-model-over/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [I thought boxes were the best toy. When my parents got a new car, I ran to my mother and said, 'Did it come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/i-thought-boxes-were-the-best-toy-when-my-parents-got-a-new-car-i-ran/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [The reason it has taken so long for the robotics industry to move forward is because people keep trying to make something that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/the-reason-it-has-taken-so-long-for-the-robotics-industry-to-move/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [My Roomba's name is Roswell. There is the moment when you are sitting on the couch and Roomba turns itself on and goes out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/my-roomba-s-name-is-roswell-there-is-the-moment-when-you-are-sitting/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [The way that the robotics market is going to grow, at least in the home, is that we'll have a number of different special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/the-way-that-the-robotics-market-is-going-to-grow-at-least-in-the/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [Around the late 1990s, I'd become convinced that one of the killer applications of robotics came from connecting robots to the Internet. The idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/around-the-late-1990s-i-d-become-convinced-that-one-of-the-killer/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [I grew up mostly in Schenectady, N.Y. From an early age, building and creating things was a real passion for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/i-grew-up-mostly-in-schenectady-n-y-from-an-early-age-building-and/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [The ideal vacuum cleaner would be one you never see. It needs to not just be a cool gadget, but a product that cleans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/the-ideal-vacuum-cleaner-would-be-one-you-never-see-it-needs-to-not/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [I was focused on building things from an early age. When I was about 3, our toilet broke, and my mother was ready to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/i-was-focused-on-building-things-from-an-early-age-when-i-was-about-3/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [What did everyone think robot vacuuming was going to be? Well, they think Rosie the Robot from 'The Jetsons,' a human robot that pushed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/what-did-everyone-think-robot-vacuuming-was-going-to-be-well-they/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [When my daughter was 3, she was eating Cheerios and spilled some on the table. So she swiped them onto the floor. I said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/when-my-daughter-was-3-she-was-eating-cheerios-and-spilled-some-on/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) > [In the beginning of Roomba, we all took turns answering the support line. Once, a woman called and explained that her robot had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/in-the-beginning-of-roomba-we-all-took-turns-answering-the-support/) [Colin Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) [Explore all 49 Colin Angle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) Browse all 26,122 About quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you ask the typical two- or three-year-old or a teenager what a robot is, they will think about a humanoid that does my homework for me or walks the dog. When I go and talk to kids and pull out the Roomba, it's not this big 'Wow!' moment.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Colin Angle" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year-old-or-a-teenager-what-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year-old-or-a-teenager-what-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baa/colin-angle-13656_about_if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year_956843.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baa/colin-angle-13656_about_if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year_956843.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baa/colin-angle-13656_about_if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year_956843.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you ask the typical two- or three-year-old or a teenager what a robot is, they will think about a…” — Colin Angle", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Colin Angle", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-angle/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you ask the typical two-...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year-old-or-a-teenager-what-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-angle/if-you-ask-the-typical-two-or-three-year-old-or-a-teenager-what-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```